John Sheridan
The military commander of Babylon 5 who became the first President of the Interstellar Alliance.
John J. Sheridan is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bruce Boxleitner. In the series narrative, he takes over as the military commander of the Babylon 5 station and later becomes the first President of the Interstellar Alliance. Boxleitner joined the show at the start of the second season, replacing Michael O'Hare, whose character Jeffrey Sinclair was written out of the main cast.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Babylon 5
- First
- "Points of Departure" (1994)
- Last
- "Sleeping in Light" (1998)
- Portrayed by
- Bruce Boxleitner
- Species
- Human
- Spouse
- Elizabeth Lochley (divorced)
- Anna Sheridan (widowed)
- Delenn (married season 4)
- Children
- David (with Delenn)
- Family
- Elizabeth Sheridan (sister)
Lore & Background
Sheridan was born to an Earth Alliance diplomat and is a descendant of American Civil War general Philip Sheridan. He joined Earthforce, was briefly married to Elizabeth Lochley, and reached the rank of lieutenant commander by 2245. During the Earth-Minbari War, Sheridan served as first officer aboard the EAS Lexington. When the ship's captain was killed in a Minbari ambush, Sheridan took command.
He mined nearby asteroids with nuclear weapons and lured the Minbari flagship Black Star into the trap by broadcasting a distress signal. The destruction of the flagship gave Earth its only real victory in the war, earning him the nickname 'Starkiller' from the Minbari. He was later promoted to captain, commanded the Omega-class destroyer EAS Agamemnon on exploratory missions, and helped put down the Mars Riots. In 2259, Sheridan took command of Babylon 5.
His assignment initially caused tension with the Minbari warrior caste due to his war record, though he soon built a close friendship with Ambassador Delenn.
Reader's Guide
Sheridan runs the Alliance from Babylon 5 for a year before moving to the new headquarters in the Minbari city of Tuzanor. Five years into his presidency, he helps defend Earth against a biological plague released by the Drahk, sending the prototype starship Excalibur to find a cure. In 2279, Sheridan chooses not to run for re-election, and Delenn becomes the second President while Sheridan takes over leadership of the Rangers. In 2281, knowing his twenty years of life are up, Sheridan meets with his old friends for a final dinner.
He visits Babylon 5 one last time before it is decommissioned, then travels alone to Coriana VI. There he is met by Lorien and goes 'beyond the rim' of the galaxy. His empty ship is found later, but his body is never recovered. Throughout the show, several messianic references are made about Sheridan, with characters using terms like 'the second coming' and 'the messiah.'
In the season four episode 'The Face of the Enemy,' Michael Garibaldi quotes the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot when discussing Sheridan's capture. Religious parallels also appear in the season two finale, 'The Fall of Night,' when Sheridan falls from a transport and is caught by the Vorlon Kosh, who appears as an angel to the human onlookers. This scene mirrors the biblical passage of Matthew 4:1–11. Sheridan is also brought back to life twice by the ancient being Lorien, first on Z'ha'dum and later on Babylon 5.
More in Characters & Aliens
Elsewhere in Babylon 5
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